The Vancouver Fox Otter has the role of being one of the only predators in Stanley Park. It's role is to keep the herbivore population down, so that they do not overgraze, lose food, and die. However, the Fox Otter has to keep it's population down too, so that they do not eat all of the food, and die themselves.
History
The Fox Otter has existed on earth for about 1 million years. It come from Arctic Foxes that eventually migrated south from northern Canada, and turned more Otter-like as they got more exposure to water. They eventually settled on Stanley Park, where they have been ever since. The Fox Otter has almost always been prey to larger animals, like wolves, and bears. So, they set up a defense system of swimming out into water, where the predator couldn't get them. However, since humans arrived, those bears and wolves have been eliminated. The Fox Otter has retained the habit of evading harm by going into water, however, just in case they are hunted again. It doesn't harm them, but it might help them later, so they kept that behavior.
Life Cycle
Life cycle of the Fox Otter
The Vancouver Fox Otter tries to keep it's numbers small. If there are too many, they will run out of prey, and die. So, they try to keep within 10-15 population. So, to explain the diagram, When a Fox Otter is born, it is called a pup. It is a pup until 6 months of age. Then, it becomes a Young Fox Otter until 2 years of age. Around this time, The Fox Otter has reached maturity, and is ready to give birth. Since there needs to be a male and female to give birth, and the Fox Otters try to keep their numbers the same, there are usually 2 pups born, hopefully a male and female. Then, after 2 years, that Fox Otter will never have pups again. The Fox Otter will die around 5 years.
Role
The Vancouver Fox Otter has the role of being one of the only predators in Stanley Park. It's role is to keep the herbivore population down, so that they do not overgraze, lose food, and die. However, the Fox Otter has to keep it's population down too, so that they do not eat all of the food, and die themselves.History
The Fox Otter has existed on earth for about 1 million years. It come from Arctic Foxes that eventually migrated south from northern Canada, and turned more Otter-like as they got more exposure to water. They eventually settled on Stanley Park, where they have been ever since. The Fox Otter has almost always been prey to larger animals, like wolves, and bears. So, they set up a defense system of swimming out into water, where the predator couldn't get them. However, since humans arrived, those bears and wolves have been eliminated. The Fox Otter has retained the habit of evading harm by going into water, however, just in case they are hunted again. It doesn't harm them, but it might help them later, so they kept that behavior.Life Cycle